The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Government Services, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, yesterday chaired the second formal Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Disability Reform Council meeting for this year.
Building on the momentum of major reforms announced at the last DRC meeting on 28 June 2019 , a number of further initiatives were announced at the conclusion of the meeting.
These include:
- A commitment by Council members to work together to improve access and experiences for participants with psychosocial disability in the NDIS, as well as addressing interface issues between the NDIS and mainstream mental health systems.
- The introduction of Justice Liaison Officers (JLOs) by the NDIS to work across state and territory justice systems. Their role will be to provide a single point of contact for workers within state and territory justice systems to coordinate support for NDIS participants in youth and adult justice systems.
- An approach to improve transport supports provided under the NDIS. More ongoing work by the NDIA, Commonwealth and state and territory officials will be done to support this change, including interim measures to increase transport funding for NDIS participants who are significant users of state and territory Taxi Subsidy Schemes.
The Council also committed to continue discussions around the long term financial sustainability of the NDIS and design of an NDIS Reserve Fund to improve participant outcomes and manage NDIS sustainability on insurance principles.
The NDIA is continuing to work closely with the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments to implement these major reforms to improve the delivery of the NDIS and enhance the experience of participants in the Scheme.
For more information, read the DRC Communique 9 October and the Minister's media release .